by S. Nelson
Like I said . . . thankfully, it was a clean shot.
Since Addy had been called upon more and more in the past few months, she left a few basics at the clubhouse. Instructing me to put pressure on my wound, she disappeared from the room, returning moments later with her hands full of supplies. After cleaning the wound and deeming the bullet hadn’t hit any major arteries, she went to work stitching me up. It was really more of a superficial wound, but based on the worry plastered across her beautiful face, anyone would have thought Trigger had shot me in the heart.
When she finally finished, she retook her seat on the bed next to me, staring at me with a blank expression. I could see she was tired, the events of the day quickly catching up to her.
“Wanna go home?” I asked, linking my fingers with hers.
“Yes, that would be great. It’s been a long, strange day, and I want nothing more than to relax in my tub.”
“Well, you can do that at my place.” I rose and pulled her up with me. When I tried to walk forward, my right arm was tugged behind me, the look in her eyes turning from confusion to instant disbelief.
“Stone,” she said calmly. “I’m going home. To my place. Not yours.” Her body didn’t move, her feet glued to the floor.
“No.”
“No?” she asked, her voice rising in surprise.
Turning toward her so there was no misunderstanding, I yanked her closer and gave her my final words, already dismissing the argumentative words forming in her brain.
“You’re gonna have my kid. There’s no more ‘your place’ or ‘my place.’ There’s only our place, and the sooner you get on board with that, the better it will be for the both of us. So we’ll swing by your apartment so you can grab some things for the next few days, but hear me now, woman,” I demanded. “You’re moving in with me, and I don’t want to hear another thing about it.”
I had no idea I was even gonna suggest such a thing so soon, but it fit. It just seemed right. Ever since Addy finally agreed to be mine, I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about the day when she would finally live under the same roof as me.
Looks like fate made it happen sooner rather than later.
Adelaide
The man continued to exasperate me to no end. While I was annoyed he tried to push his weight around, there was a small part of me which was relieved. Living with Stone was certainly going to be a challenge, but I was happy to spend more time with him. I grew more accustomed to the thought of having a baby with each passing day, and even though the cancer still festered inside me, and terrified me greatly, I knew he would be there for me.
No matter what.
One hundred percent.
I just had to learn to live with his overbearing ways.
Or learn how to ignore him better when he aggravated me.
Not a week later and he had rounded up a few of the men to help move my stuff into his house. I should have known he wasn’t going to waste any time at all. We’d decided to give the majority of my furniture to charity since his was newer and nicer, although I insisted I keep a chest of drawers that had belonged to my mother. As soon as he knew how important the piece was to me, he readily agreed.
His home was quaint, and I liked it much better than my small apartment, but I couldn’t help feeling as if I were on his turf. I was careful with cleaning up after myself, as well as making sure to straighten up as much as I could. I acted like I was a guest, and it annoyed him. He told me it was as much my house as it was his, but it was going to take me some time to not only believe him but also feel genuinely comfortable there.
My safety had become Stone’s utmost concern, so it worked out well that his house was equipped with the best security system there was. Actually, I’d come to learn all the men in the club had a top-of-the-line system. One of the hazards of being part of the lifestyle, even though Stone continued to assure me they were now legit. “Toeing the legal line,” as he would put it. It took him a half hour to teach me how to use the damn thing, changing the code to the date we’d become official, which I thought was sweet.
Stone was tough. He was arrogant and a royal pain in the ass most times. His temper was explosive given the right—or wrong—circumstance. But he was also sweet and caring, the security code just one of the many examples. It was small but it meant a lot to me, showcasing a part of his sentimental side not many people bore witness to.
“We’re gonna be late, woman. Let’s go!” Stone yelled from the kitchen, his deep voice drifting through the air. I rounded the bottom of the stairwell when he appeared around the corner, almost knocking me over in his haste to rush me along.
“Calm down. You don’t have to freak out. We’ll be there on time,” I assured. Grabbing my purse, I flung it over my shoulder and walked past him toward the front door. He mumbled something incoherently as he followed behind me. The only word I caught was “fuck,” which he said a lot.
Since the sky had decided to open up, we were forced to take his truck, something I wasn’t complaining about. Even though I was still early into my pregnancy, I had already started to feel a little uncomfortable, my body quick to become tired and achy. The thought of being strapped on the back of his bike for the next twenty minutes or so was not appealing at all.
Reaching across the console, he interlocked his fingers with mine and pulled my hand to rest on his thigh, the gesture relaxing me for some reason. Nerves coiled tight, my upcoming ultrasound was a source of stress for me. I still hadn’t told Stone about the cancer, and the further along I became, the quicker the time approached when I would have to start treatment.
“I’m gonna get the green light for sex today, so prepare yourself, baby.” He laughed, although he was dead serious. He hadn’t touched me since he found out, afraid and unsure of what sexual activity would do to the baby. I tried to assure him it was okay to engage in our favorite pastime, but he wouldn’t budge. It was worse for me as the days ticked by, and even though I didn’t feel the best on most days, I was horny as hell. The mere sight of a clothed Stone was enough to send me over the edge, never mind when he was stark naked, just a touch away. Teasing me, torturing me with his ruggedly handsome face, and his sculpted, intricately inked, gorgeous body.
He insisted we shower together as much as possible, but since he refused to ravage me, I made up excuse after excuse why I couldn’t join him under the hot spray of the shower. Morning sickness or being plain dog-tired worked every time.
“I’ve told you we can have sex, but if you need to hear it from Dr. Weber, then so be it.” As soon as I finished speaking, his hand tightened around mine, his grip borderline painful, which I was sure wasn’t intentional. I knew what garnered the reaction—the good doctor’s name.
“Do we have to see him?” he asked, an angered expression stealing over his face while he continued to look straight ahead.
“We’ve been over this before. You need to let it go already. You’re being irrational, and I think even you know it.” His hold relaxed a bit, enabling me to wiggle my fingers for good measure.
Dr. Weber had been a godsend, pulling some strings for me at the hospital to allow me to take a couple weeks off work at the last minute. I had plenty of built-up vacation time, so I took advantage, but that ended today. I was set to go back to work tomorrow, so I was going to relax and enjoy the rest of the day. No matter what developed.
Stone remained silent for the rest of the drive, speaking only when he asked where we were going once we entered the hospital.
As soon as I signed in, we were ushered into the nearest office. While I took a seat on the edge of the exam table, Stone paced back and forth, pieces of his blond hair falling forward while his impatience ate at him.
In order to take my mind off the upcoming exam, the uncertainty of what might be revealed unintentionally, I chose to focus on the man in front of me. His signature dark, loose-fitted jeans and black T-shirt covered his body, but did nothing to hide the impressive physique underneath. Or mayb
e that was just because I knew exactly what was under those threads. Either way, my hormones kicked into overdrive. The rustle of his leather jacket echoed through the silent room, his deep voice rumbling as he talked to himself, finally coming to lean against the nearest wall. His chiseled features and full lips entranced me, had me envisioning us writhing around for hours on end. With any luck, after he received the go-ahead he was so eager to hear, he would take me straight home and fuck me well into the evening.
Leaning back on the table, I etched the sight of him deep into the recesses of my brain—not that he didn’t already reside there. I wanted to commit this moment to memory, however, our small piece in time before the rest of our lives.
Piercing dark eyes pinned me to the spot, turning a lust-hazed glare in my direction. “Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked, pushing off the wall and inching closer until he stood in front of me, spreading my legs so he could fit comfortably between. The warmth of his skin hit mine when he rested his hands on the top of my thighs.
“Am I making you nervous?” I joked, reaching forward and clutching the lapels of his cut in my hands. Our mouths were close, his breath fanning over my face as our eyes remained locked.
Without uttering a single word, he ghosted his lips over mine, tormenting me in the sweetest way. Placing a soft kiss on the corner of my mouth, he backed up just as Dr. Weber quickly knocked on the door before entering.
“Hi, Adelaide,” he greeted, placing his hand on my shoulder in an innocent sign of affection. After returning his welcoming, my eyes searched for Stone. I knew what I was going to see, and as predictable as his temper was, I witnessed him stand tall and fall into rigidness. He was too busy watching the doctor to notice me silently pleading with him not to do or say anything out of line. Finally, when Dr. Weber took a seat on the stool, Stone looked my way.
Subtly shaking my head at the infuriating man, making sure he caught my unspoken message, I attempted to make the introductions.
“Dr. Weber, this is Stone. He’s the baby’s father—” I didn’t even get a chance to finish what I was going to say before Stone cut me off.
“And her man,” he affirmed, glaring at me before adding, “We live together.”
Dr. Weber turned his full attention to the man standing behind him, rising from his stool and extending his hand. “Nice to meet you, Stone. Congratulations.” His hand hung in midair for a second too long, but thankfully Stone returned his greeting, pumping his hand and no doubt exerting his strength in his handshake. If Dr. Weber was in any way intimidated by the rough-looking, tattooed, leather-clad biker, he didn’t show it.
Once they broke away, Stone opened his mouth to speak, and what came out embarrassed the hell out of me. But I should have expected nothing less, realizing he was going to have an issue with my doctor.
“So,” he started, wrapping his arm around my shoulder in one of his signature possessive moves. “You a pervert or somethin’?”
“Stone!” I scolded, heat instantly flooding my face. I tried to shrug away from his arm but he held me tightly; instead, I placed my head in my hands. But before I shielded myself in mortification, I caught the amused look on Dr. Weber’s face.
“It’s okay, Adelaide,” he comforted, patting my knee before continuing. I heard Stone growl next to me at his gesture. Yes, he actually growled, like some kind of animal. “Are you asking me why I became a gynecologist, Stone?”
“Yeah, I guess I am.”
He wasted no time in explaining something I didn’t even know. “Well, my mother and sister both passed away from cervical cancer when I was younger, so I made it my vow to dedicate my education to learning all about the female body and helping any way I could so other families didn’t have to experience the heartbreak and tragedy my father and I endured.”
I’d uncovered my face halfway through his explanation, mortified Stone’s stupid question made him feel as if he needed to explain his chosen path of medicine. And I wasn’t sure if it was wrong or not, but I felt a little better knowing he’d experienced the same thing my father and I had with my mother’s cancer . . . and her death.
Stone was actually at a loss for words, but instead of manning up and apologizing, he simply nodded and turned his attention back to me. Dr. Weber accepted his nod and wheeled his stool closer to the table. There must have been some coded language which passed between the two men suddenly crowding me, and as much as I wanted to read into it and figure it out, I let it go. I knew my attempt would only leave me even more confused.
A few breaths later and we all focused on the reason for my visit, which was to find out how far along I was and to hopefully hear the baby’s heartbeat.
“So, how have you been feeling?” Dr. Weber asked before instructing me to lie back on the table.
“Okay, I guess,” I answered, squirming on top of the exam paper underneath me.
“Hmph,” Stone grumbled, quickly pulling my focus.
“What does that mean?” I asked, daring him to speak up. Dr. Weber lifted the hem of my shirt, uncovering my belly to apply the gel needed for the ultrasound.
“It means you’ve been sick most of the time and exhausted as all hell. And let’s not forget moody.” His tone was serious, but the twinkle in his eye told me he was also playing with me.
Turning my head back to the doctor, I agreed. “Yeah, everything he said.”
“Well, that’s to be expected. A lot of women experience morning sickness and exhaustion throughout their entire pregnancy.” Placing the wand over the gel and moving the instrument back and forth, he finished with, “Hopefully that’s not you, though.”
A foreign sound suddenly erupted in the room. A fast-paced drumbeat of sorts. I knew exactly what the noise was, but Stone had no idea. The confused look on his face was comical. Dr. Weber noticed it as well.
“That’s your baby’s heartbeat, Dad,” he said, smiling big when he met Stone’s gaze. Most people would have either been intimidated by the biker, or at the very least offended with the question he’d asked earlier. But not Dr. Weber. The man was beyond professional, and super friendly. It was why I liked him so much.
Squeezing Stone’s hand, I looked adoringly into his eyes, smiling at his reaction. All of a sudden, the biggest grin appeared on his face, and it was in that moment I knew he was going to be the best father to our child. If I could pinpoint the moment he fell in love with the baby, it would have been right then.
“That’s his heartbeat?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes, it is,” Dr. Weber answered. “Confident the baby’s a boy?” he joked.
“Damn right, it’s gonna be a boy. I can’t handle a girl . . . yet.” He laughed, but I knew he was completely serious, his eyes still locked on mine while we both experienced a true gift. A miracle.
Focusing back on me, Dr. Weber had more news. “Well, it looks like you’re right around twelve weeks, which means we can start discussing the treatment options,” he said, withdrawing the wand and wiping off the excess gel from my stomach.
Stone didn’t miss a beat. “Treatment for what?”
Both Dr. Weber and I looked like a deer caught in headlights. I had no idea what to say, no clue how to break the news that the woman he loved was battling for her life. And poor Dr. Weber suddenly looked beside himself, quickly making up some excuse about being late for his next appointment before disappearing from the room.
Sitting up on the table, I adjusted my shirt to cover the rest of me and hopped down, praying he would forget all about what he’d just heard. But it wasn’t to be. Typical Stone; he just wouldn’t let it go. I’d wanted to tell him, to be able to confide in and lean on him when I needed it, but I simply hadn’t come up with either the right time or the right words.
Reaching for my purse, I tried to push past him toward the door, completely ignoring his question, but he stopped me with a firm grip on my wrist. Pulling me back to him, he imprisoned me near the wall and tipped my head up so I had no other choice but to
look him in the eye.
“What the hell was he talking about, Addy?”
Figuring this wasn’t the appropriate place to reveal what I’d been hiding, I lied. “Just pregnancy stuff.” Normal people would probably be able to pull off the falsehood, but not me. I sucked at lying, and Stone knew it as well as I did.
“Stop fucking lyin’ to me,” he demanded, his voice displaying his rising anger. “Tell me right now what he meant by ‘treatments.’ And if you lie to me again, so help me God, I’ll drag that doctor back in here and make him tell me.”
“He won’t tell you anything. Doctor/patient confidentiality and all.” My tiny rant pretty much gave everything away. I’d basically confessed I was indeed hiding something. Stone didn’t have a medical background, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew the word ‘treatment’ had nothing at all to do with the baby, and I was only making him more upset the longer I denied him the information he wanted.
“I won’t ask you again,” he warned, crowding my personal space until I was completely uncomfortable. Emotionally, not physically.
Our eyes remained connected—mine pleading for him to let it go, his demanding answers. A small bead of perspiration broke out on my forehead, my hands suddenly becoming clammy. My intake of air was choppy at best, my heart racing with a sudden surge of adrenaline. Or was that fear?
“I think you need to sit down,” I suggested, gently trying to push him away so I could think. Thankfully, he backed up a few paces, giving me room to collect my thoughts.
And breathe.
“I’m waiting,” he said impatiently, his fists clenching into tight balls the longer he waited for me to speak.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“How about the truth. Start there.”
It was extremely awkward between us, physically standing so close but emotionally miles apart. The deafening silence only made it worse, and the only way it was going to end was by me telling him I had cancer.